Operating mechanism for turret lathes



July 16,1935. w. .4. FOSTER 2,008,013

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TURRET LATHE-S Filed Dec. 16, i929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Int/6%: LUiZZiam fil o ster.

July 16, 1935. w, os E 2,008,013

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR, TURBET LATHES Filed Dec. 16, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 JnwTZZFr: CUiZZiam fijb aier- Patented July 16, 1935UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TURRET LATHESWilliam H. Foster, Elkhart, Ind.

Application December 16, 1929, Serial No. 414,417 20 Claims. (01. 2942)The invention relates to improvements in pres- The present invention isespecially adapted for sure operated mechanism and has reference moreapplication to turret lathes of the type as disparticularly to a novelfluid actuated device for closed in the applicants co-pendingapplication, association with hydraulic turret lathes. Serial No.352,427, filed April 4th, 1929, employing 5 An object of the inventionis to provide an ima turret slide 4 (Figure 2), having reciprocating 5proved automatic operating mechanism for turmovement upon the bed of thelathe 2, which ret lathes, which will be adapted to meet the serves topresent the various tools 5 into posineeds of commercial operation ofsuch machines. tion for operation upon the work piece. Upon Anotherobject is to provide a fluid pressure opthe slide is rotatablymounted aturret 8 of the l0 erated mechanism for actuating turret lathes,conventional type, common to all turret lathes 10 which will serve toreduce to a minimum the time and generally provided with a plurality ofstaconsumed between the completion of one operations for holding inposition the various tools. tion upon a piece of work, and the startingof The turret slide is equip d th Su tab mechthe next operation upon thesame piece. anismforaccomplishing the reciprocating move- A furtherobject is to provide improved hyment upon the bed of the machine, whichmay be 15 draulic operated mechanism for controlling the operated eithermanually or automatically. Inmovement of the turret slide, which willembody tor-related with this mechanism and operating special featuresfor allowing a more efficient into rotate the turret are other meanswhich are dexing of the turret. adapted to be brought into operationupon the A yet further object is to provide an improved rearwardmovement or retracting of the turret pressure actuated mechanism,preferably using slide to rotate the turret one station or to index oilas an operating medium, which will adapt itt e tu e as it is known- ThisPresents 9; difi self for use in various ways as a source of power outtool in alignment with the work piece up for actuating machinery,employing the minithe chuck, whereupon the forward movement oi.

mum number of parts, and which will be posithe turret slide can thentake place to bring the g tive and reliable in operation. tool intocontact with the work piece. It. is seen Still another object of theinvention is 'to protherefore that Pa O t a wa d m vement vide a fluidactuated mechanism adapted for im- 0f the turret S de imparts a uat on omechae parting reciprocating movements to a-turret slide 1118111 o de thturret, Which necessarily which will allow for a rapid speed of theslide to qu r s a deceleration in the speed of the slide to 30 takeplace in retracting the same up to the time al w an m ient p rati n f ts ind n chindexing starts and which will then decelerate the anism.However, the adva ci m v n of-the speed to allow emcient operation ofthe parts for Slide can take place at the normal spe d. s the properindexing. In addition, the mechanism indexing is complete when theextreme rearward also allows for a rapid speed of the slide in its mvement of the slide is reached. 35 forward movement. This makes possiblea. maxi- Referring to Figure 1, a cylindrical member I! mum in speedboth forward and retracting and is disclosed comprising the cylinder ofthemechat the same time provides for a speed consistent anism and hasfitted therein, a piston or pl with the indexing cycle. 1 w l2. Thepiston has provided on its bearing sur- 40 With these and various otherobjects in view, face rings or suitable packing It, which insure 40 theinvention may consist of certain novel feaa perfect fit between thebearing parts, to pretures of construction and operation, as will bevent the pressure fluid from leaking past the more fully described andparticularly pointed out piston. The piston has suitably secured theretoin the specification, drawings and claims appenda piston rod IE, whichis adapted to constitute ed hereto. the actuating means and as such ismechani- 45 In the drawings, which illustrate an embodi- 'callyconnected through means of the bracket .ment of the device andwherein-like reference I! to the-turret slide d. The movementsof thecharacters are used to designate like partspiston are in this mannerimparted to the slide Figure 1 is a sectional view taken substantiallyto cause the retracting and forward movements through the center of theimproved hydraulic opof the same. The cylinder in .has secured there- 50erated. mechanism constructed in accordance to through suitable bolts l8a closure member with the present invention. .20 comprising the rightend of the cylinder'and Figure-2 is a rear elevation of a turret latheprovided with an opening 22 for allowing exit showing hydraulic operatedmechanism associ- "of the piston rod l6. A collar 24 is adjustably atedtherewith. secured to the closure member and is adapted is adjustablysecured in the member 26 and a- The member 26 is provided with a bore 32ex-- tending substantially its entire length and of a diameter smallerthan the inside diameter of the cylinder I 0. A tubular plunger 34operates Within the bore and is adapted to have a close fittingengagement therein, the surfaces of the bore and the outside surface ofthe plunger being machined to exact dimensions. A spring 36 fits withinthe bore 32 and extends within the tubular plunger 34. The end wall 38of the member 26 and the wall 40 of the plunger serve as bases to limitthe extension of the spring. For holding the plunger 34 within the bore32 against the action of the spring, but at the same time to allow theplunger to have movement therein, a pin 42 groove 44 is provided in theplunger longitudinally thereof, ending however at 45. This allows theplunger to have reciprocating movement therein but prevents its releaseas the pin engages the end 45 of the groove. The action of the spring 36tends to keep the plunger always in extended position, that is,extending within the piston chamber defined by the cylinder I II.

Extending the entire length of the member 26 is a duct or passage 46 ofsmall diameter the greater part of its length and of a somewhat largerdiameter designated 48 at the portion through the wall 38. Sloping sides50 join the larger opening with the smaller and are adapted to havelocated adjacent thereto the pointed end 52 of the regulating screw 54.A passage 55 connects the opening 48 with the bore 32 so that [anypressure fluid within the bore can be forced through the restrictedopening formed by the regulating screw 54 and be conducted into thepiston chamber. .By varying the size of the restricted opening, which isaccomplished by screwing inward or outward the screw 54, the flow offluid out of the bore can be regulated. Also related in operation tothis structure are passages 56 and 58, formed in wall 40 of the plunger,which also form a conduit from the bore 32 to the piston chamber.However, this means of escape for the pressure fluid is closed whenpressure within the bore forces the ball 60 into engagement with itsseat, thus closing passage 56. A spring 62 tends to hold the ball downagainst its seat, thus constituting a check valve.

As previously explained the actuating fluid is forced under pressureinto either pipe 64 located at the right end of the cylinder, or pipe 66located at the opposite end, by means of a control valve depending onwhether the turret slide is to be retracted or moved forward intocutting position. Assuming for the purpose of illustration that theturret slide is-to be retracted to index a turret one station, oil whichpreferably forms the pressure fluid, is therefore forced under highpressure into pipe 64 and into the piston chamber to the right of thepiston l2, thus forcing the piston to the left, as viewed in Figure -1.The piston has opportunity to acquire a rapid speed up to its engagementwith the plunger 34. which thus allows the slide to have a rapidretracting movement for part of its stroke, until it begins toindex asdescribed. For this the speed of the piston must be cut down, which isaccomplished by movement of the plunger 34 to the left. The oil withinthe bore 32 and the hollow portion of the plunger is put under.compression which consequently closes the check valve 66 and allows theoil to escape only through the restricted opening 50. The size ofopening 50 is so regulated that the necessary decrease in speed of thepiston l2 can be accurately secured.

The piston upon reaching the end of its stroke in its travel toward theleft is then forced back again by oil under pressure issuing from pipe66, the supply in pipe 64 being cut off.

The plunger, however, with the piston in its left hand position islocated within the bore 32 and is forced out by spring 36 as soon aspiston l2 moves to the right. Valve 60 is so constructed that pressureon the outside will unseat the ball allowing the oil to flow within theplunger and the bore. During this movement of the piston l2, that is, tothe right as viewed in Figure 1, the piston will have an unrestrictedcourse and will so attain a rapid speed giving to the turret slideconsequently a rapid speed for its forward movement.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exactembodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustrationand not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will ofcourse be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination with a movablemember, of fluid pressure means for operating said member, said fluidpressure means comprising a cylinder, a piston operating within saidcylinder, conduits having access to said cylinder to supply a fluidunder pressure selectably to the two sides of said piston, and a plungerjournaled in a wall of said cylinder at one side of said piston adaptedto be moved by said piston when said piston is adjacent to one end ofits stroke, said cylinder having a restricted passageway therethroughproviding communication between the two ends of said plunger to cause adecrease in speed of said pistonadjacent to said end of the movement ofsaid piston.

' 2. In a, device of the class described, in combination with a movablemember, of fluid pressure means for operating said member, said fluidpressure means comprising a cylinder, a piston operating within saidcylinder, a plunger journaled in a wall of said cylinder normallyextending within said cylinder and adapted to be engaged by said pistonto cause a decrease in the speed of the piston in one direction ofmovement, said cylinder cylinder and-extending axially thereof, aplunger operating within said bore, means for allowing ingress of thefluid within said bore during one direction of movement of said pistonand other means to regulate the escape of said fluid during the oppositedirection of movement.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinderprovided with end walls forming a chamber, a piston operating withinsaid chamber, means for supplying a pressure medium selectably to bothsides of said piston, a bore in one end wall of said cylinder, a plungerfitted within said bore and extending into said chamber in a position tobe engaged by said piston when said piston is adjacent to one end of itsrange of movement, said cylinder being provided with a restrictedpassageway providing communication between the ends of said plunger.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinderprovided with end walls forming a chamber, a piston operating withinsaid chamber, means for supplying pressure medium to both sides of saidpiston, a bore in one end wall of said cylinder, a plunger fitted within'said bore andextending normally within said chamber, means in said endwall providing a passage from said bore to the chamber, and other meansin said plunger providing a second passage for the purposes described.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinderprovided with end walls forming a chamber, a piston operating withinsaid chamber, a bore in one end wall of said cylinder, a plunger fittedwithin said bore, said plunger adapted to extend normally in the path ofthe piston, a restricted opening in said wall providing a passage fromthe bore to the cham her, and a second passage located within saidplunger for the purposes described.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinderprovided with end walls forming a chamber, a piston operating withinsaid chamber, a bore in one end wall of said cylinder, a plunger fittedwithin said bore, said plunger adapted to extend normally in the path ofthe piston, a restricted opening in said wall providing a passage fromthe bore to the chamber, means for regulating said opening, a secondpassage located within said plunger, and a check valve for closing saidsecond passage for the purposes described.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination with acylinder, a piston operating within said cylinder, of an end walladapted to be fitted to said cylinder, said wall being provided with abore, a plunger fitted for movement within said bore, a hollow portionprovided in said plunger and communicating with said bore,

a spring within said bore and hollow portion tending to keep saidplunger extended, a passage in said wall communicating with said bore,and a second passage in said plunger communicating with the hollowportion for the purposes described.

9. In a turret lathe, in combination, with a turret slide, of aturretadapted to be indexed in response to reciprocations of said slide, fluidpressure means for operating said slide comprisin a cylinder, a pistonoperating within said cylinder, conduits having access to said cylinderto supply a pressure fluid to both sides of said piston, a tubularplunger operating within one end wall of the cylinder, and a check valveon said plunger to prevent rapid escape of the fluid within, to cause adecrease in the speed of th piston in one direction of movement. I

' 10. Ina fluid pressure'mechanism, in combination, a cylinder, a pistonoperating within the cylinder, conduits connected to the cylinder toadmit a pressure fluid selectably to opposite sides of the piston, meansmounted for reciprocation in one end wall of the cylinder and normallyprojecting within the cylinder, said means being engaged by the pistonin one direction of movement thereof, said cylinder being provided witha restricted passageway providing communication between thetwo ends ofsaid means.

11. In a fluid pressure mechanism, in combination, a cylinder, a pistonoperating within the cylinder, conduits connected to the cylinder toadmit a pressure fluid selectably to opposite sides of the piston, meansmounted for reciprocation in one end wall of the cylinder and normallyprojecting within the cylinder, said means being engaged by the pistonin one direction of movement thereof, said cylinder being provided witha restricted passageway providing communication between the ends of saidmeans, said means being provided with a check valve for providingcommunication of less restriction between the ends of said means. I

12. In fluid pressure mechanism, in combination, a cylinder having endWalls forming a chamber, a piston operating within the chamber, conduitsconnected to the cylinder to admit a pressure medium selectably toopposite sides of said piston, a bore in one end wall of the cylinder, aplunger fitting in the bore and being resiliently urged in a directionto project within the cylinder, whereby the piston in one direction ofmovement engages the plunger to force the same within the bore, saidcylinder having a restricted passageway providing communication betweenthe ends of said plunger.

13. In a fluid pressure mechanism, in combination, a cylinder having endwalls forming a chamber, a piston operating within the chamber, conduitsconnected to the cylinder to admit a pressure medium selectably toopposite sides of said piston, a bore in one end wall of the cylinder, aplunger fitting in the bore and being resiliently urged in a, directionto project within the cylinder, whereby the piston in one direction ofmovement engages the plunger to force the same within the bore, saidplunger operating upon the pressure medium when being forced inwardly tocause a decrease'in the speed of the piston in that direction, saidcylinder having a restricted passageway, providing communication betweenthe ends of said plunger.

14. In a, device of the class described, in combination with a slide, offluid pressure means for operating said slide, comprising a cylinder,-

a piston operating within said cylinder, conduits having access to saidcylinder to supply fluid under pressure selectably to the two sides ofsaid piston, and a plunger located in said cylinder at one side of saidpiston adapted to be moved,

providing less restricted communication between the ends of said plungerwhen fluid under pressure is admitted to that side .of said pistonadjacent to said plunger.

15. In a device of the class described, in combination, a movablemember, fluid pressure means for operating said member, said fluidpressure means including a cylinder, a piston operating therein,conduits having access to said cylinder to supply a fluid under pressureselectably to the two sides of said piston, a plunger journaled in awall of said cylinder at one side of said piston adapted to be moved bysaid piston when said piston is adjacent to one end of its stroke, saidcylinder having a restricted passageway providing communication betweenthe two ends of said plunger, and adjustable means for varying theextent of restriction of said passageway.

16. In a device of the class described, in combination, a cylinder, apiston operating within said cylinder, conduits connected to saidcylinder to communicate fluid under pressure selectably to oppositesides of said piston, a plunger journaled within a wall of saidcylinder, a check valve for permitting ingress of fluid to one side ofsaid plunger during one direction of movement of said piston, and othermeans to regulate the escape of said fiuid during movement in theopposite direction thereof.

1'7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a cylinder, apiston operating within said cylinder, conduits connected to saidcylinder to supply fiuid under pressure selectably to opposite sides ofsaid piston, said piston and a wall of said cylinder having cooperatingplunger parts for causing a decrease in the speed of said piston duringa portion of the travel of said piston in one direction, said wall ofsaid cylinder being provided with a restricted passageway for permittingcommunication to the two sides of said plunger parts.

18. In a device of the class described, in combination, a cylinder, apiston operating within said cylinder, conduits connected to saidcylinder to supply fluid under pressure selectably to opposite sides ofsaid piston, said piston and a wall of said cylinder having cooperatingplunger parts for causing a decrease in the speed of said piston duringa portion of the travel of said piston in one direction, said wall ofsaid cylinder being provided with a restricted passageway for permittingcommunication to the two sides of said plunger parts, said plunger partsbeing provided with a check valve for permitting communication betweenthe two sides of said plunger parts during the other direction ofmovement of said piston.

19. In a device of the class described, in com-'- bination, a cylinder,a piston operating within said cylinder, conduits connected to saidcylinder to supply fluid under pressure selectably to opposite sides ofsaid piston, said piston and a wall of said cylinder having cooperatingplunger parts for causing a decrease in the speed of said piston duringa portion of the travel of said piston in one direction, said wall ofsaid cylinder being provided with a restricted passageway for permittingcommunication to the two sides of said plunger parts, and adjustablemeans for controlling the extent of restriction of said restrictedpassageway.

20. In a device of the class described, in combination, a cylinder, apiston operating within said cylinder, conduits connected to saidcylinder to supply fluid under pressure selectably to opposite sides ofsaid piston, said piston and a wall of said cylinder having cooperatingplunger ,parts for causing a decrease in the speed of said piston duringa portion of the travel of said piston in one WILLIAM H. FOSTER.

